RNA synthesis in two species of anopheline mosquitoes

Abstract

. 1. 1. A method is described for the extraction of adult mosquito nuclear RNA. The RNA is tightly bound to nuclear components. The nuclei were dispersed by the use of sodium chloride and urea of high ionic strength. 2. 2. Deproteinization of the cytoplasmic minus mitochondria fraction resulted in the separation of a high molecular weight RNA. The RNA is derived from a polynucleotide precursor in the nucleus and transported to the cytoplasm. 3. 3. The rate of RNA synthesis in Anopheles quadrimaculatus and A. albimanus was measured by the incorporation of radiolabelled adenine into RNA. The radioactive precursor was presumably converted to the adenine nucleotide by adenine phosphoribosyltransferase. 4. 4. The conversion of adenine nucleotides to guanine nucleotides was essentially the same in the two species, however, differences were found in the specific activities of RNA purines. 5. 5. Cellulose powder and DEAE profiles of nuclear and cytoplasmic RNAs from the two species were compared.